Language learning is the educational imperative of our generation Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 13, 2018 in Archived Posts
In response to America’s language deficit, a bipartisan Congressional report has called for the country to “to value language education as a persistent national need similar to education in math or English, and to ensure that a useful level of proficiency is within every student’s reach.” Earlier this year, CIA Director Gina Haspel included “emphasizing…
Can technology enhance human connection in the language classroom? Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 6, 2018 in Archived Posts
Confidence in classroom technology is growing, but confidence in how best to use it has not kept pace. According to one study, commissioned by Samsung, 90 percent of K-12 teachers surveyed believe that technology in the classroom is important to student success, but only 60 percent feel they are adequately prepared to use it. Another study…
Listening is the Black Sheep of Language Learning Skills Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 30, 2018 in For Learners, Learning + Usage Tips
When learning a language, there’s one skill that’s more neglected than the others. It’s underestimated both in terms of its complexity and its utility. It’s less glamorous than speaking, and more difficult to master than reading. Listening, unfortunately, is the black sheep of language learning. A recently-posted discussion thread on Quora began with the question…
Learn Latin with Transparent Language Online Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 16, 2018 in For Learners, Learning Material Updates
If Latin is a dead language, why is it still so useful in modern life? In an educational system that prioritizes STEM and hard skills, where spoken languages can be swapped out for coding languages, it can be hard to drum up interest in Latin. But the so-called “dead language” complements nearly any skill set…
Designing Language Technology That is “Worth It” for Educators Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 2, 2018 in Class Management Updates, For Educators, Lesson Authoring Updates
Educators’ confidence in digital tools is increasing, but legitimate concerns remain. Not all ed tech is designed or implemented equally, so how can language teachers find the right tools to meet their needs—and the needs of their students? A 2015 report by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found a shift in the perception of…
Should all foreign language instruction be proficiency-based? Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 25, 2018 in Archived Posts
We write often about language proficiency on this blog, from the different scales used to measure proficiency, to how you can assess your own proficiency level, and even how vocabulary size relates to proficiency level. A language proficiency scale provides a very useful, standardized measurement of one’s abilities. Proficiency, however, is not just a measure…
How and Why to Self-Assess Your Language Skills Posted by paultucker on Jun 4, 2018 in For Learners, Learning + Usage Tips
How well do you really know your second language? Thanks to self-assessment tools, you might be able to test yourself to find out. In today’s increasingly global economy, there is a growing awareness that multilingualism is a valuable skill. That’s why those of us who may have learned a second or third language earlier in…